Financial Management Analysis: External Finance for Insurance Firms

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of financial management, focusing on external sources of finance available to organizations, specifically examining Legal & General Plc and Standard Life Aberdeen Plc. The report begins by classifying finance and describing various external sources, including common stock, bonds, preference shares, term loans, and leases, detailing their advantages and disadvantages. It then delves into the considerations organizations must take into account when choosing the right type of finance, such as cost, financial strength, and legal status. The methodology employed involves the use of secondary data from annual reports to conduct ratio analysis, assessing the soundness of the companies in terms of solvency. The aim is to evaluate the importance of capital structure in meeting financial requirements, providing valuable insights into the financial decisions of these insurance giants. The report concludes with recommendations based on the analysis.

Financial
Management Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
1. Describing external sources of finance to organisations....................................................1
2. Enumerating considerations to be taken into account when choosing right type of finance. .6
RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Purpose-
Main purpose is to evaluate source of finance available to company and also optimum
capital structure. Furthermore, to conduct ratio analysis for assessing soundness in terms of
solvency.
Aim-
To assess importance of capital structure of company in meeting finance requirements.
Scope-
The scope of this project is that capital structure of both insurance organisations are
assessed and outcome can be attained that mix of debt and equity should be present in overall
cost of capital.
Methodology-
Secondary data is used from annual reports of two companies for conducting ratio
analysis.
Limitations-
The limitation of ratio analysis is that it is based on past data. Future analysis cannot be
made because past financial data is used.
1. Describing external sources of finance to organisations
Classification of finance
The finance is needed to be raised by organisation so that it may be able to attain
operational requirements quite effectually (Burtonshaw-Gunn, 2017.). Legal & General Plc and
Standard Life Aberdeen Plc are two biggest insurance companies headquartered in UK and are
the oldest firms listed on LSE (London Stock Exchange). These insurance service provider giants
meet the demand of customers in an effective manner. Finance is classified in two elements such
as private and public finance. Firm uses business finance which is an integral part of private one
to raise funds. On the other hand, public finance is mainly for providing funds to organisation for
uplifting public welfare.
Common Stock
Common stock is also termed as equity shares which is one of the common sources of
finance raised by firm. Legal & General Plc can effectively raise funds by issuing to public and
attain requirements with ease. Equity financing is the safest source for attracting desired funds so
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that financial needs can be fulfilled. This will help to attain necessary funding for gaining
operational tasks without any difficulty. Moreover, no liability arises to pay shareholders as they
are the owners and not creditors of organisation.
Advantages
 It helps to absorb shocks which might be caused by worsening of economic conditions.
Financial risks are minimised as compared to funds raised by issuing bonds.
 Large scale companies such as Standard Life Aberdeen Plc and Legal & General Plc can
easily trade and attain desired operations because of high liquidity.
 Legal compliances are minimum on the behalf of firm and no action can be taken by
shareholders excluding financial investment (Advantages and Disadvantages of Common
Stock. 2018). Pre-emptive rights of shareholders are not violated as they are provided with right to
subscribe to additional shares, even before they are issued to public.
Disadvantages
 Market price of shares of Legal & General Plc may fall leading to dissatisfaction among
shareholders and as a result, market share also gets affected.
 It is one of the expensive sources of finance for funds purpose in comparison to debt
finance. Moreover, shareholders are suffered the most in case of company becomes
financially unsound.
 Dividends are paid on the basis of effective performance of company. If economic
conditions become worse, then downsizing of dividends takes place affecting the holders
of common stock.
 Another disadvantage of common stock is that investors are given with limited rights to
participate in management. Furthermore, financial statements are not understandable to
them and they rely on consultants for making investment and increases costs
unnecessarily on their investment.
Bonds
Bonds are one of the useful external form of raising finance that are generally backed by
terms and conditions (McPherson and Pincus, 2017). It carries certificate of indebtedness
because issuer is obliged to repay the principal amount under contract. In other words, debt
security is provided to bondholders who give funds to company. Moreover, interest accrued (on
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coupon) has to be repaid along with principal loan amount at a stipulated date technically
referred as maturity. There are various types of bonds namely convertible, zero-coupon and
inflation-linked bonds to name a few. Interest is paid on any basis such as annually, semi-
annually or monthly.
Advantages
 It is advantageous to Standard Life Aberdeen Plc and Legal & General Plc as bonds are
less volatile in comparison to common stock. It is regarded as the safest form of
investments carrying less fluctuation than equity (Altman, Iwanicz‐Drozdowska, Laitinen
and Suvas, 2017).
 Another merit of bond is that it is highly liquid in nature which implies that firm can sell
good quantum of such security in the market and minimise price fluctuation up to a high
extent.
 It is suitable for Legal & General Plc as it can effectively get money which can be repaid
with ease because fixed interest payment can be estimated and uncertainty is minimised. Moreover, in case organisation defaults in making outstanding payments, bondholders are
repaid firstly and legal protection is given to them which marks that recovery amount is
paid and thus, remains intact.
Disadvantages
 It is unsuitable form of raising financing requirement as it is subjected to variety of risks
namely inflation, yield curve risk, credit risk and reinvestment risk to name a few. It
directly limits the usage.
 Bonds are risky source of raising finance with the main reason that price changes or
fluctuation directly affects mutual funds holding such bonds. If value of bond declines,
portfolio of investment affects up to a major extent.
 Since, two insurance organisations namely Legal & General Plc and Standard Life
Aberdeen Plc have global reach, exchange rate risk arises instantly which may be caused
in exchange of the foreign currencies (Crowther, 2018).
Preference Shares
Common stock is technically referred as ordinary or equity shares. On the other hand,
Standard Life Aberdeen Plc can attain desired funds with the help of issuance of preference
shares which is another source of funds generation for firm. It is mostly suitable for insurance
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services giant so as to meet uninterrupted operational activities on daily basis. It means that it
can be issued to shareholders on preferential rights as compared to equity holders.
Advantages
 It is useful for Legal & General Plc as voting remains intact in company's management
itself and voting rights are not provided to them.
 Fixed returns are provided to preference shareholders despite of earnings made by
company. Hence, profits could be maximised by the firm on major part of such
shareholding.
 It is advantageous to firm as no charge on assets prevails to be paid to shareholders as
they are entitled to fixed dividends (Maina and Sakwa, 2017).
 Capital market can be enhanced in an effective manner because fixed returns are
imparted to them which leads to safer investment from the perspective of investors.
Disadvantages
 Fixed returns are provided which is disadvantageous to Standard Life Aberdeen Plc and
Legal & General Plc as they have to initiate returns despite of absence in profits in any
year.
 Proper security is imparted to them even if organisation fails to comply with it and as
such, burden increases on firm.
 Higher dividends are paid by company which automatically enhances cost of capital
which is not suitable for firm.
 Creditworthiness is affected as assets are always on stake for making payments to them in
case of defaults.
Term loans
It is source for obtaining long-term finance which is generally ranges from the period of 5
to 10 years which can be availed by Legal & General Plc and other insurance giant in effective
manner. Term loans is secured debt which means that it is usually secured by collateral security
and as a result, in case of default, amount can be recovered without any difficulty by the lending
party. Loan agreement is also made which implies that it is secure type of raising finance.
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Companies can effectively channelise funds from financial institutions and meet financing
requirements with ease.
Advantages
 It is advantageous for the firm as it helps to attain tax advantage. In simple words, interest
on term loans is tax-deductible and hence, tax is reduced up to a major level.
 Control is not diluted in term loans and as such, Legal & General Plc and Standard Life
Aberdeen Plc can have full power over management.
 Another advantage of taking such finance is that it is cost of debt is lower than that of
equity and as a result, term loan is cheaper finance for meeting requirements.
 Moreover, maturity period of term loans may be altered in relation to requirement of
funds by company in effectual way (Yuniningsih, Widodo and Wajdi, 2017).
Disadvantages
 It is disadvantageous for the main reason that interest accrued is needed to be paid
irrespective of having cash balance in appropriate manner along with principal loan
money.
 Term loans eventually maximises financial leverage for the firm and as such, it increases
overall cost of equity of organisation.
 Inflation prevailing in the country has also a direct impact on the cost of capital and as a
result, cost of debt would be higher than currently it is in the market.
 It is legal obligation of company to pay principal amount and interest as well. If it
defaults to pay the same, it may become bankrupt.
Leases
Lease financing is suitable form of right to avail or use property or asset of lessor by the
lessee. This agreement is done with a view to use the asset for specific time frame usually against
the periodical payments for such usage. It can be clarified here that true owner or lessor remains
owner of asset and possession is not transferred to lessee and only payments or rentals are
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provided to them. There are various types of lease which can be availed by Legal & General Plc
and Standard Life Aberdeen Plc in order to attain right over the asset.
Advantages
 Cash flows are not affected to a high extent because periodical payments are made and
not whole amount is paid by company. It is time-saving source of obtaining finance as
firm has to carry out formalities in case of bank loans whereas, it is absent in case of
lease financing (Pogrebova, Konnikov and Kurbanbaeva, 2017).
 Moreover, liquidity remains intact on behalf of company as rentals are paid which are
beneficial for firm.
 It is beneficial for the company which has a higher debt ratio as it do not affect
company's financial position and also do not worsen its solvency position.
 Leasing is suitable particularly in era of dynamic business world where everything
undergoes changes. Hence, risk of obsolescence is minimised as assets are used
periodically and as such, it is beneficial for organisation.
Disadvantages
 Regular payments are paid which means that operational cash flow are affected adversely
and liquidity gets affected (Hoobler, Masterson, Nkomo and Michel, 2018).
 Improvements if any cannot be made by lessee as he has to obtain prior permission from
lessor limiting the use of it.
 Lessee is not benefited as cost of maintenance has to be incurred by him. This means that
organisation which is a lessee incurs additional charges which increases costs.
 Maintenance expenses are paid and no possession is transferred to it which restricts the
usage of the same.
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2. Enumerating considerations to be taken into account when choosing right type of finance
Cost-
It is one of the important consideration as both insurance giants have to analyse cost of
finance in the best possible manner. Main objective of management while taking source of
finance is to maximise wealth of shareholders and effectively minimising cost of capital.
Financial strength and operational stability-
Financial strength is another essential factor because when firm has sound financial
position not only in terms of profitability, but also liquidity and solvency, it can raise debt with
much ease. Otherwise, raising debt will enhance debt burden on it and leading to deficiency in
performing operational tasks (Sweeting, 2017).
Organisation form and legal status-
The legal status and organisation form is important for raising finance because it is
required that firm should concentrate on its legal status before availing finance. Management of
both insurance companies such as Legal & General Plc and Standard Life Aberdeen Plc can take
debt and equity as financial standing is good.
Purpose and time period-
Legal & General Plc has to take into account purpose behind raising funds. If debt is to
be raised, then should carry out, short-term or long-term is to be attained as time period plays
major role.
Risk profile-
Risks has to be assessed in a better way because it is required that management of
Standard Life Aberdeen Plc is required to clarify whether they can repay money or not. Hence, if
solvency position is not good, it should be taken into account and debt should be avoided.
Control-
It is needed to be analysed because firm when issues further shares, control is diluted
because of new shares. Increment in dividends are to be made with existing shareholders. On the
other hand, relationship ends in case of debt finance, when firm pays-off liability (Wagner,
2017).
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Long-term & Short-term borrowings
Financing requirements are different in Legal & General Plc and Standard Life Aberdeen
Plc. Particularly, if non-current asset is to purchased, then long-term source of finance would be
feasible. While, short-term funds are to be accomplished, then suppliers' credit or overdrafts are
required for meeting requirement. The lending has certain merits and demerits which needed to
be analysed in accordance to the management viewpoint and thereof, decisions should be taken
Gearing level
Highly geared business should rely on equity financing to minimise risk up to a high
extent. Furthermore, if organisation is lowly geared, debt finance would be commercially viable
option for it. Hence, gearing position of Standard Life Abesrdeen Plc is low, it should use more
of debt.
Creditworthiness-
The credibility of organisation should be good enough to take more finance in the best
possible manner. When creditworthiness of Standard Life Aberdeen Plc is good, it can take
finance as lenders can provide after analysing solvency aspect.
Flexibility and ease-
Flexibility and ease is also vital factor because when firm is able to pay liabilities in
much flexibility, then, it can take funds with much ease.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Legal & General Plc
Particulars Formula 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Debt Equity
ratio
Debt /
Equity 0.51 0.50 0.57 0.61 0.56
Interest EBIT/ 9.39 -46.55 17.78 -44.55 8.60
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times ratio
Interest
expenses
Standard Life Aberdeen Plc
Particulars Formula 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013
Debt Equity
ratio
Debt Equity
ratio 0.34 0.30 0.35 6.35 0.45
Interest
times ratio
EBIT/
Interest
expenses 8.49 5.60 4.37 3.87 4.73
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Illustration 1: Debt equity ratio
Illustration 2: Interest times ratio
The capital structure of both the firms are good. However, it can be said that Legal &
General Plc has adequate debt equity ratio as it is nearer to 0.4 which is considered to be ideal.
Interest time’s ratio is more in comparison to other firm and shows that it will easily pay-off its
debt payments. Considering the outcomes from both the organisations on which Legal & General
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